The Summoning
Vi dodged the punch, ducking fluidly around the left hook as she in turn, slammed her fist into her sparring partner. He grunted, and Vi grinned to herself as she continued, knowing she had the upper hand if she just aimed right.
She was just about to finish him when the doors swung open, and her mentor stood there. “Vi.”
“Vander,” Vi replied, stepping out of the ring to see him. “What brings you here?”
“You’ve been summoned,” Vander said, holding out an envelope to Vi. “A real formal one too.” Vi took the envelope curiously, leaning back against the ropes of the ring as she examined it.
“The last time we got this…”
“You were thirteen,” Vander confirmed, and Vi’s face hardened as she saw the seal of the Kiramman crown on the seal. “And not yet a knight.”
“I’m still not one. I have seven months before I turn eighteen.” Vi reminded him, taking out a pocket knife to slit open the envelope. She cut through the seal deftly, not caring that she wasn’t supposed to. After what the royalty of Piltover had subjected her to, she didn’t really care much for them at all.
“You’re a knight in everyone’s eyes but the crown’s, kid,” Vander replied, crossing his arms over his chest. “After that… everyone who was there is a knight.”
Vi looked at him as she pulled out the letter, getting a small smear of blood on it. As she unfolded it, she threw the envelope to the side, tilting her head as she read the neatly printed letters. “It’s an invitation.” Vander raised his eyebrows, surprised.
“To what?”
“To a royal summons.” Vi continued to read the letter, frowning. “But it’s only with Princess Caitlyn from how it’s reading?”
“The princess?” Vander sounded even more surprised at that one. “She never grants audiences with anyone. Did you request one?”
“No.” Vi scoffed, looking at Vander with disgust on her face. “Of course I didn’t. You know that better than anyone.” Vander nodded, and Vi ran her bandaged hand through her short pink hair. “I guess that means I should go, right?”
“Yes. A summons is unavoidable as a servant to the crown. When is it for?” Vander asked, walking closer to look at the paper.
“Tomorrow. Isn’t there that massive party for Princess Caitlyn’s birthday sometime soon too?”
Vander nodded, looking at the paper musingly. “It’s where she reveals who she chose as her betrothed all those years ago too. Apparently they’ll be living with her until she takes the crown, then marrying.” He looked down at Vi, frowning. “But you’re supposed to be guarding the ball too.”
“I’m well aware,” Vi responded, her voice tense. The ball for the crown princess’ eighteenth birthday was almost like a final test for Vi - to ensure she truly was ready to be a knight, even after the horrors she’d seen. Vander had vehemently been against this fact, saying that Vi had earned it, but nothing wavered the Queen’s words, who had been the one to command it.
It all just made the letter so much more strange. What did Caitlyn want with Vi? Vi had no clue that the crown princess even knew her name - couldn’t remember one time they’d even talked. Caitlyn had been there a few times when Vander had been given assignments with Vi by his side, but she’d never talked, her face impassive as she looked at them, her eyes cold.
Vi turned the letter over in her hand, seeing the smudge of blood that she’d left earlier now, before checking her hands. Through her wraps, fresh blood was staining the bandages as a result of her earlier fight. Sighing, she went to go unwrap them, managing to get both of them off to reveal her bruised and bloody knuckles.
“You’ll have to clean those before going in front of Her Highness. Or wear a full armour.” Vander said, and Vi scoffed.
“I won’t be caught dead in full armour.”
“I am well aware. Just be prepared for royalty.” Vander replied, and Vi nodded at that. “Did the summons say anything about attire?”
“No. Nothing.” Vi frowned. “This means I’m not dressing up okay old man?”
“You should at least not bleed on the floor.” Vander said, and Vi sighed.
“Come on. It’s that hot and rugged look.”
“It’s messy and unbecoming, especially when you’ll be meeting the crown princess.” Vi scoffed, her face screwing up, but she knew Vander had a point. However much she hated the royal family of Piltover, she was still going to become their knight in seven months. She needed a good impression at the least, especially because her reputation was infamous. She wasn’t stupid, she knew what they called her behind closed doors. Yes, “Piltover’s Finest” but also hot-headed, broken, violent, and unforgiving.
She couldn’t argue with those - except for being Piltover’s Finest.
“Fine, I’ll make sure my hands are wrapped all pretty, and I’ll try not to have stains on my clothes.” Vi grumbled, and Vander nodded.
“Good. And maybe bring a gift.”
“Like what? Booze?” Vi said, raising an eyebrow. “My presence should be enough for this uptight princess.”
“I’m sure Princess Caitlyn isn’t uptight. She’s sheltered yes, but not uptight. Maybe.” Vander replied, sighing. “Just make sure you’re presentable, and don’t bring booze. She’s not yet eighteen, and neither are you. Bring something nicer, like maybe flowers.”
“You’re making it sound like a date.” Vi scoffed. “Not a summons. Usually summons are bad, old man.”
Vander looks to the ceiling, taking a deep breath. “This one likely won’t be.”
So that’s how Vi had to go buy flowers for the first time in her life. Hell, she didn’t even like flowers, even though her own name was a flower name. Plus, Vander had insisted she ironed her shirt - who the hell ironed shirts? So now Vi was holding a bouquet of flowers, in an ironed shirt and pants, sitting in the tea parlor of the crown princess. Luckily, they’d let her keep her sword, because otherwise Vi just would not have come inside.
Minutes ticked by, the opulent interior almost dizzying with the amount of greens, blues, and golds that adorned it. Vi felt like her dark pink hair was almost offensive to the decor, and she ran her fingers through it, messing up a hairstyle she didn’t even have. The grandfather clock on the wall finally chimed to two, and that’s when Caitlyn Kiramman appeared, stepping out of another room to effortlessly glide in.
Vi blinked a few times, looking at the taller woman stepping out. The princess wore a pale blue dress, touching the floor as she walked, her expression aloof and almost uninterested as she came closer to Vi. Despite the fact she looked like a detached spectral, Caitlyn was gorgeous, her Ionian features passed down through generations still shining. Then Vi remembered she had to bow, and stood up fast, bowing at the waist. “Your Highness.”
“Sir Violet Lanes.” Caitlyn said, her voice accented and lilting, using the honorific Vi didn't technically have yet, but who was Vi to correct a princess? Vi rightened up, holding the flowers out to Caitlyn. She reached out for them, raising an eyebrow. “What is this for?”
“Vander said I should bring something for a royal summons.” Vi muttered, and Caitlyn nodded, accepting the flowers before settling in a chaise across from Vi.
“I see.” Caitlyn looked over Vi, her expression unwavering from aloof, but her bright blue eyes were curious. “Do you know why you were summoned?”
“No.” Vi said bluntly before remembering whose presence she was in and straightening up, her posture taller now. “I mean, no Your Highness.”
“You can sit.” Caitlyn said mildly, and Vi sat down across from her, a mess of limbs and awkwardness. This was the first time she’d been one on one with anyone in the royal family, and it just so happened to be the reclusive crown princess. “Would you like some tea?”
“I’ve never had tea.” Vi said simply, and Caitlyn raised an eyebrow.
“Well then you must have some. Tell me, what flavours do you like.” Caitlyn stood up, walking over to a cabinet that was elaborately hidden and pulling out a few glass jars. “These are my personal favourites.”
“I’ll just have your favourite?” Vi managed, watching as Caitlyn moved smoothly, bringing over a jar of tea bags and dropped one in each of the teacups in front of her before pouring the hot water out.
She handed Vi one after a few moments, taking a sip from her own before sighing. “I guess there’s no need for me to shy away any more from the reason you are here.”
Vi perked up at that, taking a sip of her tea and trying to hide the look of disgust. It just tasted like leaf water, with something floral. Caitlyn noticed though, and raised an eyebrow. “Do you not like it?”
“It’s… nice,” Vi said, her voice untruthful. Caitlyn’s lips twitched, almost into a smile, but she stopped it.
“Well, Sir Vi, do you recall a time when you were younger, when there was a crowd of people and a chalk circle?” Caitlyn’s face is unreadable as she takes a bite of a small sandwich after her words, watching Vi closely.
Vi frowns, thinking back. There’d been plenty of times with crowds of people, but not many with chalk circles. As she thought, it dawned on her. “Your Highness's tenth birthday, correct? It’s where you chose your betrothed, but no one knew who they were.”
“Correct.” Caitlyn said mildly, taking another sip of her tea. “It was a girl, playing on the edge of the circle with a missing front left tooth, and pink hair, with grey eyes. At least, I believe they were grey. She was playing with her friends - all about my age, I believe. The girl was a squire to Vander.” Vi’s grip on the teacup was tightening as pieces began to fall into place in her mind, a pit opening in her stomach. There’s no way she meant -
“I found myself drawn to her.” Caitlyn mused. “She wasn’t royalty, but something more exciting. So, I made my decision.” Caitlyn’s blue eyes met Vi’s icy pale ones, and she tilted her head. “But now that I see your eyes, they’re more of a mixture between light blue and grey.”
Vi, for the third time in her life, was speechless. The first two times, she didn’t care to recall. But this… this was something she didn’t even know how to respond to. Caitlyn waited patiently across from her, sipping her tea like she didn’t just tell someone - who was essentially a stranger - that they were engaged because of a decision that she’d made almost eight years ago.
“Obviously you’ll need training in the ways of being a Queen Consort.” Caitlyn continued after a few minutes of tense silence. “And finish your training as a knight. I assumed you were aware of this though?”
“No?” Vi choked out, and Caitlyn almost looked surprised. Almost.
“No? But Vander was informed of it, and so was everyone else of palace staff.”
“Vander knew?” Vi managed, her voice taunt as her face gave away everything she was feeling - anger, betrayal, hurt, and deep seeded resentment simmering to the surface. “I won’t marry you. I don’t even like the royal family, not after -“
“The choosing was absolute and final.” Caitlyn said firmly. “You will be marrying me.”
“So I don’t have free will here?” Vi snapped back, standing up and beginning to pace. It was rude to do so in front of royalty, to be taller than them, but fuck those rules right now. “What, you want me to become your little trophy? Like a lapdog?”
“I never stated that.” Caitlyn replied smoothly, placing her teacup down. “I… I thought you knew.” There was a waver in her voice there, one she covered in a second. The years of training were not for nothing, after all. “It was a misunderstanding, and I apologise. But it’s too late now. I turn eighteen at the end of this week, and you are expected to move into the adjoining chambers so we can begin to coexist together as a couple.”
“Coexist?” Vi spluttered, her face turning red with anger as she practically pulled her hair out, her pacing almost a jog now. “I will not coexist with you.”
“You will have to.” Caitlyn said firmly, her voice strong even though her eyes wavered, a war of emotions behind them. It had always been the one part of Caitlyn’s face that Cassandra’s training couldn’t control. “And you will present yourself as my betrothed at the ball for my birthday.”
“I won’t.” Vi responded tensely. “I’m guarding that ball, not participating.”
“You must.” Caitlyn looked at Vi, taking a step closer. “It’s an order from the Crown, Sir Violet Lanes.”
“Don’t you dare use my full name.” Vi hissed, moving and being almost toe to toe with Caitlyn now, not caring that this was royalty she was lashing out to. “And I am not a knight yet.”
“You practically are.” Caitlyn responded, taking a step back, which only made Vi take a step forward, her grey eyes simmering with rage.
“I do not want any part of this damn arrangement.” Vi spat out, and Caitlyn flinched a little. Caitlyn could deal with a lot of emotions - but rage was hardly one directed at her. “I’m not a pawn. I’m not going to marry you because you chose me eight years ago. People don’t stay the same after eight years, and I can tell you I would rather destroy this royal family than ever be a part of it.” Each word is venom, Vi’s face is way too close to Caitlyn’s for comfort for the princess, but she doesn’t take another step back. Her eyes widened a little, looking down at Vi, taking her in. The small Roman numeral for six under her eye, how stiff she was, how all of her emotions were laid out.
Everything Caitlyn was not, and everything Caitlyn wanted.
“I apologise.” Caitlyn’s words were almost mechanical, and Vi scoffed before stalking away. “But you cannot back away from this.”
“There’s no renegotiation?”
“No. My choice was firm and final.” Caitlyn said, smoothing her palms on her pastel blue dress, looking poised, like she was fixing wrinkles. In reality, the sweat on her hands was making her uncomfortable. Since when did the crown princess sweat under this kind of scrutiny, or strife? She’d been in diplomatic sessions before, where guns had been drawn.
Vi glared at her, her eyes flashing with uncontrolled rage. “So I have to marry you?” She spat out, her thoughts whirring. Why had Vander not told her? What else had he hidden? Could she have protected Mylo? Could she have saved Claggor, if she had known all of this? Would she know where Powder was, if she’d known she was supposed to marry a princess?
“Yes. But don’t think of it as a sacrifice of autonomy -“
“That’s exactly what it is.”
“But more so as an endorsement. You’ll have the crown’s power.” Caitlyn tried, and Vi’s eyes flickered.
“I don’t want your crown’s endorsement.”
“But you still will marry me,” Caitlyn said firmly. “We don’t have to love each other, or even like each other. The choice has been made.”
As much as Vi hated it, she knew the princess was right. Eight years ago, Mylo had shoved her into the chalk circle. It was a joke, the four of them laughing and chatting about how marrying a princess would be, how they wouldn’t have to ever worry about food, or Vander not coming home from his battles. She’d heard the words that Caitlyn said, had guards by her side in a moment as the young princess tilted her head and smiled at her, waving back to the wave she’d given her, the gap in her front teeth a stark contrast to the gap in Vi’s teeth that had occurred when she got too rough when sparring.
Luckily she’d gotten a fake tooth for that by now.
She remembered them talking to her, and her nodding eagerly - she would be marrying a princess. Mylo had snorted at that, punching Vi’s arm as Claggor and Powder cheered playfully. Vander had come then, and when the guards informed him, he gave a brief nod.
But that was before Vi was thirteen. This - this was after. She’d all but forgotten that memory, convincing herself it was something she made up to cope with the horrors she’d seen.
Now, it was real. She’d be marrying the crown princess of Piltover - marrying into the Kiramman family, the same ones who had sent thirteen year old Vi into war with Vander, alongside her siblings.
It was a bitter pill to try and swallow. So instead of swallowing it, Vi just left the room, and Caitlyn didn’t try to stop her.